by David W. Bynon
Car theft is a worldwide crime. According to the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), more than 1.6 million cars a year were stolen in the United States each year during the 1990's. In Texas, a car is stolen every five and a half seconds. This is big business, and you could be the next victim.
Car theft is a crime that affects more than just car owners. Insurance companies and banks are also affected. Car theft raises insurance rates for everyone. According to Progressive Auto Insurance, here are the top three reasons that cars are stolen in the U.S.: 55% were unlocked, 34% left the windows open, 6% left keys in the car. This article provides ten simple tips you should use to prevent your car, truck or van from being stolen.
Tip #1 -- When you walk away from your car, lock it up. This means roll-up the windows, too. A window cracked open for ventilation is an invitation for a thief. I even make it a practice lock my car when it's in the garage. You just never know, and the more difficult you make it for a thief, the better your chances of keeping your car "yours".
Tip #2 -- This seems pretty obvious, but you'd be amazed at how often people hide keys in or on their car. Don't do it. Car thieves are criminals, but they are not stupid. Car thieves know all of the typical, and not so typical, hiding places. Any spot that you might think is safe, isn't.
Tip #3 -- Do not leave valuables visible in your car. Cameras, laptop computers, purses, wallets and packages are all very encouraging for a would-be thief. Cover your valuables up with a coat or blanket, or put them in the trunk.
Tip #4 -- Use a mechanical theft deterrent. An example is a device called "The Club." This is a security bar prevents the steering wheel from being turned. This won't stop a professional who really wants your car, but it will slow them down. The Club and other devices like it can be defeated with a hacksaw by cutting the steering wheel.
Tip #5 -- If you car did not come with a factory alarm, but an aftermarket alarm and have it professionally installed. There are many types of electronic car alarms, as well as other electronic deterrents. The best alarm is one that will disable the car fro being started. Very few people pay much attention to alarm sirens anymore; they are simply an annoyance.
Tip #6 -- Always park your car in areas that are well-lit and well-traveled. Don't risk parking or leaving your car in a high-crime areas. Likewise, avoid parking your car in places that are not well-traveled. Car thieves look for cars in dark alleys and deserted parking lots. The safest parking lots are those with attendants.
Tip # 7 -- Avoid parking where your car can easily be towed. Car thieves often disguise themselves as tow truck drivers. If you park your car at the end of a block, you're an easy target. I know, I had my first Porsche stolen via tow truck. I had every safety device available on the car. They did a snatch-n-go and were gone in less than 3 minutes.
Tip #8 -- Never leave your car running unless you are sitting in the driver's seat. It's amazing how many thefts occur at gas stations because a car owner leave the car running while they run inside for directions. It can even happen in front of your own home, while you're waiting for the car to warm on a cold day. Be safe, when you get out of your car, take your keys with you.
Tip #9 -- Protect your name and address. Do not leave information about you or where you live in your car for a thief-in-disguise to see. If you Valet park your car, or have the car worked on at a service center, be sure to take your registration with you or lock it in the glove box. Also, if your car comes with a valet key, give this key to the valet or service station, not your regular ignition key. Likewise, don't put your address or your car's license plate number on your keys. If you lose your keys, a thief knows where to pick up their new car.
Tip #10 -- Never leave your insurance or original registration documents in your car. Doing so makes it easier for a thief to sell your car after they steal it. I recommend making a copy of your registration papers. Write across the top and bottom of the copy "ORIGINAL MAINTAINED BY LEGAL OWNER".
Don't be a victim of ignorance. Follow these simple tips and you will drastically reduce the chances of your car being stolen.
Car theft is a worldwide crime. According to the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), more than 1.6 million cars a year were stolen in the United States each year during the 1990's. In Texas, a car is stolen every five and a half seconds. This is big business, and you could be the next victim.
Car theft is a crime that affects more than just car owners. Insurance companies and banks are also affected. Car theft raises insurance rates for everyone. According to Progressive Auto Insurance, here are the top three reasons that cars are stolen in the U.S.: 55% were unlocked, 34% left the windows open, 6% left keys in the car. This article provides ten simple tips you should use to prevent your car, truck or van from being stolen.
Tip #1 -- When you walk away from your car, lock it up. This means roll-up the windows, too. A window cracked open for ventilation is an invitation for a thief. I even make it a practice lock my car when it's in the garage. You just never know, and the more difficult you make it for a thief, the better your chances of keeping your car "yours".
Tip #2 -- This seems pretty obvious, but you'd be amazed at how often people hide keys in or on their car. Don't do it. Car thieves are criminals, but they are not stupid. Car thieves know all of the typical, and not so typical, hiding places. Any spot that you might think is safe, isn't.
Tip #3 -- Do not leave valuables visible in your car. Cameras, laptop computers, purses, wallets and packages are all very encouraging for a would-be thief. Cover your valuables up with a coat or blanket, or put them in the trunk.
Tip #4 -- Use a mechanical theft deterrent. An example is a device called "The Club." This is a security bar prevents the steering wheel from being turned. This won't stop a professional who really wants your car, but it will slow them down. The Club and other devices like it can be defeated with a hacksaw by cutting the steering wheel.
Tip #5 -- If you car did not come with a factory alarm, but an aftermarket alarm and have it professionally installed. There are many types of electronic car alarms, as well as other electronic deterrents. The best alarm is one that will disable the car fro being started. Very few people pay much attention to alarm sirens anymore; they are simply an annoyance.
Tip #6 -- Always park your car in areas that are well-lit and well-traveled. Don't risk parking or leaving your car in a high-crime areas. Likewise, avoid parking your car in places that are not well-traveled. Car thieves look for cars in dark alleys and deserted parking lots. The safest parking lots are those with attendants.
Tip # 7 -- Avoid parking where your car can easily be towed. Car thieves often disguise themselves as tow truck drivers. If you park your car at the end of a block, you're an easy target. I know, I had my first Porsche stolen via tow truck. I had every safety device available on the car. They did a snatch-n-go and were gone in less than 3 minutes.
Tip #8 -- Never leave your car running unless you are sitting in the driver's seat. It's amazing how many thefts occur at gas stations because a car owner leave the car running while they run inside for directions. It can even happen in front of your own home, while you're waiting for the car to warm on a cold day. Be safe, when you get out of your car, take your keys with you.
Tip #9 -- Protect your name and address. Do not leave information about you or where you live in your car for a thief-in-disguise to see. If you Valet park your car, or have the car worked on at a service center, be sure to take your registration with you or lock it in the glove box. Also, if your car comes with a valet key, give this key to the valet or service station, not your regular ignition key. Likewise, don't put your address or your car's license plate number on your keys. If you lose your keys, a thief knows where to pick up their new car.
Tip #10 -- Never leave your insurance or original registration documents in your car. Doing so makes it easier for a thief to sell your car after they steal it. I recommend making a copy of your registration papers. Write across the top and bottom of the copy "ORIGINAL MAINTAINED BY LEGAL OWNER".
Don't be a victim of ignorance. Follow these simple tips and you will drastically reduce the chances of your car being stolen.
and it increases the resale value of your car. For you guys driving them nice Porche's, Benz, etc etc, LoJack is a couple of hundred dollars more and it'll give you a bit of extra protection.
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If you're in a bad neighborhood use a Club-type clone and the Autolock! Just incase you haven't seen the infomercials, the Autolock fits between the brake/clutch pedal and the floor so you can't use them. They'd have to either break the lock, saw through the pedal, or remove the whole pedal to get it off.